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Entrepreneurship program receives state recognition

Lauren Ceronie, Campus Editor

Miami University's Center for Social Entrepreneurship added another accolade to its list of honors Thursday when the Ohio Board of Regents named it an Ohio Center for Excellence in societal and cultural transformation.

Miami's Center for Social Entrepreneurship is the first entrepreneurship program in the state to be recognized as a Center for Excellence, according to Brett Smith, director of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

"It's incredible to have support and recognition at the state level," Smith said.

Smith credited Miami's focus on undergraduate students as part of the center's success.

"Our focus on undergraduate teaching excellence is consistent with Miami's strengths," Smith said. "Our faculty has continued to win numerous teaching awards."

The real world experience students receive is another factor in the center's success, according to Smith. This real world experience includes internships and student run businesses, such as the Miami Mergers and the Miami University Student Venture Fund.

The Ohio Board of Regents approached Miami several months ago about this recognition, according to Smith. Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro, along with President David Hodge and Farmer School of Business Dean Roger Jenkins, spoke at the ceremony Thursday.

Smith said it's unclear what the designation actually means, but he said he expects the recognition will attract students to Miami.

"One benefit will be as students in Ohio look around, this is the only place in the state recognized," Smith said.

The Center for Social Entrepreneurship started as just one class and has grown into a comprehensive program, according to Smith.

"We're just getting started," Smith said. "We see this as a beginning, not an end. We want to be the best program in the country."

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